Navigating Change 

Are you trying to change something in your work or broader life? Perhaps the way you manage or lead a team.  The way you interact and develop your client relationships.  Or perhaps you want to finally create a sustainable exercise routine and have better work/life integration? 

One theme that we see in our coaching is that many people - and lawyers are no exception - might just jump into change, setting massive goals and then falling flat, or perhaps they know they want to change, but feel overwhelm and just don't know where to start.  

Understanding where you are in the change cycle can help you understand what is tripping you up, and how you better choose action steps (just one stage in the cycle!) and ACTUALLY make the changes you seek to make. 

Exploring the Stages of Change

A really useful framework for change is Prochaska and DiClemente's Stages of Change model, also known as the Transtheoretical Model (TTM).  This model provides a really good - and easy to apply - roadmap to navigate change effectively. 

It outlines a cycle of change stages that encompasses six stages: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and relapse: 

1. Pre-Contemplation: You aren't even thinking about change.  Its business as usual.  You may have little awareness that there are even issues that require change. 

2. Contemplation: Here, you have started to acknowledge a desire for change, weighing the pros and cons. This stage can be marked by introspection and realisation, yet taking the leap is still daunting. For example, for a lawyer who wants more time for their personal life, this might look acknowledging there is the need to change. If that is you, at this stage you might feel overwhelmed by the thought of leaving the office on time.  Or you may be fearful of the consequences for your career and your work.  

3. Preparation: This is the planning stage, where small, incremental steps are considered. For the lawyer wanting to leave the office on time, they might start to strategize about reducing stress, improving work-life balance, or shifting career directions. A big risk at this stage, is setting goals that are too big and difficult to achieve.  When you don't achieve them, you feel like you've failed.  But actually, you were just getting started.  Experimenting through small, preparatory steps can be really useful at this stage.  

4. Action: It is only at this stage (STAGE 4!!!!) that we get to taking action. It is here that you make tangible changes.   

5. Maintenance: Sustaining changes becomes the focus. Lawyers work to integrate new behaviors into their routines, ensuring that the change is durable.

6. Relapse: Viewed not as failure but as part of the cycle, relapse occurs when old patterns resurface. It's an opportunity for reassessment and renewed action.

And of course, it is a cycle.  Perhaps the actions you were taking were not quite the right ones.  But you experiment and adapt.  

Integrating Self-Determination Theory

Another really useful framework for lawyers to apply when assessing their readiness to change is Self-Determination Theory, which was developed by Deci & Ryan.  It is a theory of human motivation and posits the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness for wellbeing.

For lawyers, aligning these elements with the stages of change can reinforce and solidify transformation.

• Autonomy: When we have a sense of autonomy, we feel we have agency.  We can make change based on our own personal desires rather than external pressures. By owning the decision to change, motivation becomes more sustainable.

• Competence: The more competent we are, or the more we believe we can develop the necessary skills to achieve our goals, the more likely we are to be able to take action towards achieving our goals.  

• Relatedness: This is about our connection to others. This is essential for lawyers who might feel isolated in their journey. Finding support, whether through colleagues, mentors, or coaches, can foster connection and reinforce the commitment to change.

Practical Application for Lawyers

Understanding these theories empowers lawyers to approach change systematically:

• Reflect: Identify which stage of change you're currently in and be honest about your readiness to move forward.
• Plan: Use the preparation stage to set realistic goals aligned with your values and motivations. Perhaps undertake small preparatory steps, or set small goals.  
• Act and Maintain: Implement changes while leveraging Self-determination principles to stay motivated and connected.
• Embrace Relapse: Accept setbacks as part of the process. Reflect, re-evaluate, and re-engage with renewed understanding.

By marrying the transtheoretical theory with self-determination principles, lawyers can transition from merely contemplating change to actively embodying it.

For further exploration of these concepts, tune into The Thriving Lawyer podcast, where we delve deeper into how you can assess your readiness for change and implement practical strategies appropriate to where you are at in the change cycle. You can listen to it above, and subscribe to it on Apple and Spotify.